Convoy SC 143
Convoy SC 143 | |
---|---|
Part of North Atlantic | |
Result | Allied operational victory |
Canada
Poland
39 ships
8 escorts
SG 10 :
4 warships
14 U-boats
1 warship sunk
SC 143 was a
. It was the second battle in the Kriegsmarine's autumn offensive in the North Atlantic.Background
Following the attack on convoys
For their part, the Allies were also encouraged by the outcome of the battle for ONS 18/ON 202, and were keen to seek battle with group Rossbach.
While forming, Rossbach came under attack by air patrols; four boats were destroyed, and another four were damaged and forced to return to base. Three others were damaged, but were able to continue operations, while a further two boats arrived from base as re-inforcement.
Protagonists
SC 143 left
By 6 October Rossbach, comprising fourteen U-boats at this point, was deployed to intercept the expected west-bound convoys, HX 259 and SC 143.
Action
SC 143 was sighted on 8 October by U-731, which was returning to base following an air attack; she sent a sighting report, and throughout the day the Rossbach boats converged on the position.
Seven boats had gathered by evening, and at nightfall mounted their attack.
During the night of 8/9 October the seven Rossbach boats were able to attack; U-645 torpedoed and sank Yorkmar, and U-378 hit ORP Orkan which sank with the loss of 157 men. This was the worst naval loss suffered by the Polish Navy during the war.[1]
During the day the convoys air cover was able to mount several successful attacks; three U-boats were attacked by aircraft during the day.
Two other boats were damaged in air attacks and forced to return to base; U-539 by an unidentified aircraft, and U-762 by a Liberator of No. 120 Squadron RAF.
Following this the attack was discontinued by BdU and Rossbach, now reduced to six boats, was disbanded. SC 143 continued its voyage, and arrived without further loss at Liverpool on 12 October 1943.
Conclusion
Undeterred by the poor result of this attack, and the losses suffered by Rossbach, BdU wished to press on with the offensive; the remaining Rossbach boats were reinforced to form a new group code-named
Tables
Allied ships sunk
Date | Name | Flag | Casualties | Tonnage | Sunk by... |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 Oct 1943 | Yorkmar | United States | 13 | 5,612 | U-645 |
Allied warships sunk
Date | Name | Flag | Casualties | Type | Sunk by... |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 Oct 1943 | Orkan | Poland | 157 | Destroyer | U-378 |
Axis submarines destroyed
Date | Number | Type | Location | Casualties | Sunk by... |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 Oct 1943 | U-419 | VIIC | North Atlantic 56°31′N 27°05′W / 56.517°N 27.083°W |
48 | Air attack by Liberator R 86 Sqdn [2][3] |
8 Oct 1943 | U-643 | VIIC | Atlantic, S of Iceland 56°14′N 26°55′W / 56.233°N 26.917°W |
30 | Air attack by Liberator R 86 Sqdn Liberator Z 86 Sqdn Liberator T 120 Sqdn[4][5] |
8 Oct 1943 | U-610 | VIIC | Atlantic, SW of Rockall 55°45′N 24°33′W / 55.750°N 24.550°W |
51 | Air attack by |
Notes
References
- ISBN 0-304-35261-6.
- Arnold Hague : The Allied Convoy System 1939–1945 (2000) ISBN (Canada) 1 55125 033 0 : ISBN (UK) 1 86176 147 3
- Kemp, Paul (1997). U-Boats Destroyed, German submarine losses in the World Wars. Arms and Armour. ISBN 1-85409-515-3.
- Niestle, Axel (1998). German U-Boat Losses During World War II. Greenhill. ISBN 1-85367-352-8.
- Stephen Roskill : The War at Sea 1939–1945 Vol III (1960) ISBN (none)
- Jak P M Showell : U-Boat Warfare: The Evolution of the Wolf-Pack (2002) ISBN 0-7110-2887-7